UAE, February 9th,2019: Under the slogan “Dream Small… It adds up”, the Ministry of Health and Prevention launched its media campaign as part of the “With You” Initiative, which started with the aim of encouraging the Emirati society to exercise by adopting a simple healthy life style.

Under the campaign, the world’s shortest marathon “the 1 Kilometer Marathon” was organized at Zabeel Park in Dubai attended by Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and the Licensing Sector.

The event included a number of activities such as medical tests for Diabetes, Hypertension and BMI for participants in addition to entertainment for children.

H.E. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and the Licensing Sector honored the winners in the Marathon commenting that the high levels of participation in the 1 Kilometer Marathon is evidence of the success achieved by the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s awareness campaigns that aim to enhance health knowledge among UAE citizens and encourage them to adopt sport as a main component of their daily routine as a few minutes of physical activity can prevent many illnesses.

Initiatives to Achieve the National Health Agenda

During this event, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Clinics and Centers at the Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed that the Ministry gives great emphasis to awareness campaigns that host a variety of activities as initiatives that benefit the health indicators of the National Agenda 2021, and because of their importance in educating clients of ways to prevent certain illnesses that are often related to wrongful practices and habits. He further confirms that the Ministry will continue to launch awareness campaigns to offer facts about these wrongful practices and educate clients about good habits to preserve their health and prevent illness.

Important Initiative

Meanwhile, Dr. Fadila Mohammed Sharif, Director of Health Education and Promotion indicated that this campaign falls under the awareness campaigns organized by the Ministry of Health and Prevention aiming to encourage the community to exercise, adopt healthy options and push towards the dedication of a health culture aligned with WHO standards that adults should exercise at an average of 30 minutes daily. The campaign also aims to clarify that exercise is not necessarily limited to the gym but can be part of everyday life.

Support and Welcome

At his end, Mr. Yogesh Valauliker, M.D of “Aqua De Fonte welcomed the idea of

the Marathon, confirming his company’s interest in supporting all types of initiatives and events organized by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and all other concerned entities in the UAE with relation to health and fitness.